June watched her boys tumble across the yard like puppies. Not one of them was right in the head – she knew it for a fact. Nasty old Mable didn’t need to tell her. No she did not. Clem: Ten – can’t count to one. Joe-Bob: Nine – forgets his own name. Stew: Eight – if a tree toppled, he’d just let it fall and squash him dead. It’s their daddy’s fault. Knocked each one in the head when they were little babies. But Daddy’s gone. June saw to that. Shot him. Threw him in the sea. Now she’s left with a black-haired chain of fools. She loves each link.
Up From the Ashes 
Wow!
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Thank you for taking the time to read and leave a comment! I appreciate it, Susan.
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Alicia, what a very different take! Well done.
janet
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Thanks, Janet. The song Chain of Fools popped into my mind when I saw the prompt.
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Great take on this photo! So creative and amusing (well, not the shooting the husband part–yes, even that part)! 🙂
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Ah, even the shooting the husband part can be funny. He was a mean old cuss. Thanks, Lorna.
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Yup! 🙂
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Sad, sweet, poignant. Love overcomes.
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Yeah, it usually does. Thanks, Patrick.
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This is sad! But she so loves those boys.
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Yes she does. Thanks for noting the sadness…. Alicia
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A chain of fools only a momma could love.
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Yes, indeed, Dawn. Mom’s can do that thing.
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I think the mother is a fool who allows a man to knock any child on the head much less every child.
Tracey
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Boy, didn’t I think about that when I was composing this? My mind placed June in a poor Floridian-type county with little prospect for a good life and an overbearing husband. Finally, the light bulb came on in June’s head and Daddy was gone.
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I second that Wow and add an Oh dear! Poor kids, but they are loved, wich is a lot, considering the circumstances. Your writing is so powerful, it makes me sad, and mad.
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Thanks! Maybe June isn’t the sharpest pencil in the box, either. Glad you appreciated her story.
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Aww, nice! It made me laugh a little. She’s a strong woman, so I’m sure she will be able to set this chain straight. Well, as best she can anyway. I like the playful tone and nice writing, Alicia!
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Thank you. Amy. Glad the story brought a smile.
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Great story! Sad and sweet at the same time.
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Thanks.Kind of like a sweet tart!
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Dear Alicia
Daddy needed to be gone..much sooner. Great use of the prompt.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you, Rochelle. Sometimes I think women hang onto a man like that much longer than they have to – for security? Love? Money? Don’t know really, but the kids get caught in the crossfire.
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Absolutely brilliant! 😀
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Why, thank you, Mr. Binks. What a lovely compliment.
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Good the Daddy was got rid of. And heartening to see a Mom that accepts and loves her kids unconditionally. Knowing they aren’t ‘normal’, may never be.
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Yeah, Daddy was a no good kinda’ guy. I’m glad he’s gone, too. Thanks so much for reading and leaving a reply.
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+2 points for Aretha.
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Thank you, Go Aretha, for sure.
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Okay, here’s the back story. Clem fell through the hole in the outhouse. When he tried to climb out his father hit him in the head with a baseball bat. “Why did you do that?” asked a neighbor. “It’s easier to make another one than to clean that one up,” said Clem’s dad.
Sometimes it’s better to be lovable than smart. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
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It’s a good one, too. Thanks, Russell.
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Chain of fools… great line, and great story.
Nicely done.
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Appreciate your stopping by and leaving a reply. Alicia
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I don’t know if I should feel happy for her or sad for those boys. Such a great story!
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Wow! Thanks.
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Ingenious take on the prompt. You excelled yourself Alicia.
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Thank you very much, Sandra. Your words mean a lot.
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What a story, Alicia! A combination of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and modern day realism. Great last line too.
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Thanks, Perry. Never thought about Alfred . . .
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A very creative interpretation of the prompt! Will love conquer all? Perhaps it will, now that their devil of a father is gone 👿😇
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Daddy was a bit of a creep – slipping with the fishes now.
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That was great. I love your characters and the most unusual storyline. I started with the same phrase, in fact, but took it in a totally different direction.
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Thanks, Margaret, I’ll slip over and check it out. A bit behind in my reading.
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Mothers are not good at objectivity.
Good piece.
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Lucky for us, yes? Thanks Mick.
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What a great creative take on the prompt. “A chain of fools” is a great metaphor.
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Thanks, Joseph. I can thank Aretha Franklin for the idea.
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Ah I should have known that; But I didn’t.
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this left me speechless. 😦
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Hopefully in a good way. Thanks, Alicia
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Mixed feelings about this – great style of the narrator, well-described characters, but maybe forced link to image and more telling than showing. You remain a very, very good writer of course!
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Thanks, Hamish. As I said the idea popped into my head immediately – Chain of Fools- so I’m not sure what you mean by forced (please clarify if you’d like to). And, yes, I see what you mean by telling and not showing. Will work on that.
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Sad – makes me glad Daddy is gone, and provides Hope for Mom and the kids! Implies she will be strong enough to love and care for them well.
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Yep, I think June is very strong. Thanks.
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I love this story Alicia! The last two lines are wonderful! Too bad she didn’t kill him sooner though.
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Thanks, Priceless, you always make me feel good about my writing. I appreciate it.
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A wonderful take on the prompt. 🙂 There is nothing greater than a mother’s love for her children – even if they are a chain of fools!
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You’re right, mother-bear really comes out when a woman’s children are threatened. Thanks for reading and commenting.
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Liked your story both sad and funny. 🙂
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Thank you.
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I think it’s good there’s at least one among them who was right enough to shoot that bastard.
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Yeah, she should have done it after child #1 was hurt. Thanks, Bjorn.
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Such a haunting and powerful piece, Alicia. The tie in to the chain is electric– just fantastic!
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Thanks very much, Dawn. I always appreciate your comments. I hope all is well, Alicia
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A very unusually written story that works well. Loved the ending.
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Thanks, Weltchy, I know you’re busy so appreciate your time and thoughtful comment.
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“She loves each link” Indeed she does and it comes through. Intriguing story of love with the backdrop of murder. Nicely done.
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Why, thank you, Subroto.
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Wow, that’s a woman of action. So sad to think these things really happen. Babies begin so perfect, and then a brutal coward comes into the picture to pick on someone smaller and weaker. Well told, Alicia. — Suzanne
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I know. They are such innocents and people can be so mean. Luckily many of us are surrounded by good people. Thanks for reading!
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